David Wolins: Here’s what doesn’t heal

Jon Riley’s letter (“Finally, time for an honest Orcem conversation”) in the Times-Herald is an example of what doesn’t heal this community. Don’t focus on what is wrong with the tactics of those against the Orcem project. Why not try plying the community with the benefits of the project? Tell us how many dollars this project will deliver in tax revenue. Tell us how much will be coming into the city in sales tax. Why should those living in the path of these trucks have to live with the added pollution? What makes it worth it to the residents? What are these tangible benefits? You know, things you can touch and feel?

From what I heard at the city council meeting by the city’s consultant, a deal to limit the taxes paid the city by Orcem was part of the agreement. Is this true?

Since I first found out about the Orcem/VMT project, I have done my best to follow the project documents provided, through the city, to the people. This has included excellent city staff presentations, press releases, the massive draft EIR documents (700 pages?), and all the data available to the public from Orcem. As an engineering professional, the data is what matters.

Until my retirement around 2007, I had been an energy consultant in the energy efficiency world for more than 30 years. My focus was the use of data in the analysis of things that use energy. When doing my job, I did not look at things emotionally, rather measured and guided by where the data took me.

With the Orcem project I have done the same. I have analyzed the data provided and like the staff, find the project lacking from many perspectives. Many of whom I have pointed out in previous letters to the editor.

I request that the proponents of this project now step forward and, in a public way, show us the data. Proponents, show us clearly in simple English, how financially, the citizens of Vallejo benefit, long term from this project. I can see limited income to the city from this project to support the ever increasing road deterioration caused by this project. Please explain what the source of the benefits this project will bring to the city and its people.

So far, just like the city staff, I find your confused ever changing presentation and your lack of consistent numbers baffling. I agree with you, Mr. Riley, that we can now all see the numbers once and for all. The question is how will we get access to these numbers? How much time will the community have to consider the implications of these new, revised numbers?

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When the process started we have a month to consider the documents. Will new disclosure of these new documents trigger a new review period? Based on her previous comments, what does the city attorney have to say on the subject?

City council, city staff, I ask that since you are releasing new numbers please give the community enough time to understand what it means before you vote our collective future. Unlike a fast food restaurant or pizza joint, we, your fellow community members, are the ones having to live with this project for the rest of our lives.

I am not a member of any of the groups being mentioned in any article either for or against this project.